To tell you all that David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher Harper Collins?

I suppose it would have still been a problem if the two white men had written the character; but I've seen a number of black comedians- including Gina and Jocelyn - doing material centred around their heritage.

It's a recurring theme amongst British comedians of African, Caribbean or Asian heritage to imitate their parents' or grandparents' accents for comic and stereotypical effect in sketches or stand-up. Off the top of my head, as well as Gina and Jocelyn, Nathan Caton, Stephen K Amos, Romesh Ranganathan have all done it.

MJ was innocent.

I think your first point is the important one. Fine if the material is written by themselves or someone of similar heritage. Not so fine when it's written by David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

Fair enough - I haven't seen the programme for years and can't recall the content; all I can remember is the blacking up and the main catchphrase.

Anyone that works in publishing... would someone's back catalogue be dropped like this if there WASN'T a scandal brewing about them? I know Walliams' sales are down, but surely they still sell a lot...

The books are still for sale.
I was in Waterstones and out of curiosity had a look to see if they had any.
They did.
Presumably if something comes out they will all have to be recalled.
If Harper Collins actually knows something they'd be getting those books off the shelves.
(although there's always plenty in charity shops so copies will be circulating for years yet)

That’s fair enough, we all have our own opinions on things. Mine are mainly based on conviction. However, I also take issue with others, in the industry and within the general population when I feel an overwhelming amount of evidence points to something untoward.
i don’t think there was an overwhelming amount of evidence against Michael. But I don’t judge people for judging me. It’s my call and if evidence proves unequivocally guilty my feelings would most definitely change.

if we decided to judge artists etc, there are a great many past ones who were far from ‘stand up characters’, many not with convictions, but certainly many who you’d never want to associate yourself with imho. But people still idolise them and listen to their music and call them ‘legends’.

I haven't read the full thread. Has anyone commented on the now deleted Twitter stuff where it looked very much like he was having inappropriate relationships with young girls? Inviting them into his BGT dressing room, etc. That all seemed to get brushed under the carpet, but unless the screen shots of conversations were faked, looked very damning.

This is admittedly now third hand information, but a close friend knew of some very disturbing allegations regarding David Walliams which went back YEARS. My friend was told it directly from someone in Walliams' "inner circle", as my friend had subsequently started working very closely with the source.

I was not surprised when the allegations of inappropriate behaviour with young girls subsequently surfaced. Also not surprised now allegations from HC are being heard.

Of course, they could all be made up.

If the allegations relate to claims related to an earlier draft of his autobiography - I'm pretty sure that's made up.

Awk sure should we continuing listening to gary glitter then ?
Sure he had some good hits
Separate the artist and all that

Ah yes all these women are liars
Nothing worse than a male centered female
Dangerous

It absolutely is not made up.

I suspect a few NDA’s are about to expire.

I was referring to one specific claim about material cut out of Walliams' autobiography. I haven't said anything about any other claims.

‘Of course, they call all be made up’

I assumed you were referring to the young women who were entertained by DW in his dressing room after the BGT live shows were filmed.

Were you not?

Sorry but the bad 'uns have a look about them. I never liked the look of him from his very early days. They have a certain look that says 'Dodgy character' to me.

No. There were claims specific material was removed from Walliams' autobiography. It's impossible to mention the claims without identifying someone.

There is something about him, and I have never liked his manner when I've seen him on TV. (I've never seen BGT though.)

Edit: Decided to delete it. It is searchable on the web, I hadn't realised. Clearly not just me who'd been told.

2011 is 15 years ago! Not exactly 'recent.' It's almost a generation.

It is recent enough for it to be astounding that the BBC agreed to fund and show a program with blackface characters.

GGScot - well said in response to erssie’s post.

As far as DW is concerned, I, for one, won’t miss him.

I think there is a serious problem with his books. I used to read them to my son until I realised that every mother or mother figure seemed to be evil

It certainly feels as though something is brewing. I imagine he's got Russell Brand and Bear Grylls on speed dial ready to baptise him in the Thames.

Walliams of the massive ego. Really fancied himself. Revelled in fame. Knew how to make a few a bob off the back of his very limited talent

Saw the WDYTYA programme a while back. Celebrating big time a couple of well dodgy ancestors.

Awful off putting, creepy persona.
Hope he gets his just deserts.